News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition — the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

I-40 widening and US 70 business in Garner — ramp changing
Traffic from US 70 eastbound in Garner headed to I-40 west will have a temporary detour starting on Sunday, and then move to a permanent rerouting starting January 1. This Sunday evening, the loop ramp from Garner headed to Raleigh will permanently close requiring westbound travelers to use the Greenfield Parkway exit and overpass as a turnaround. Within the next two months, a new left turn lane from 70 business eastbound to I-40 west will open, which will simplify merging onto I-40 and improve freeway operations both during and after the I-40 freeway construction project. Freeway operations on westbound 40 through this interchange area will immediately improve as a result of this change by eliminating the weaving area on an uphill grade. This is a short-term pain (slight detour), short- and long-term gain improvement for I-40 — and it will be nice to have it well before the overall project wraps up.

I-40 widening at Aviation Parkway — new on/off lane, bridge girders
During the next few days, I-40 itself will close on two different overnight occasions near RDU so that contractors can install new steel bridge girders over the freeway as part of the Aviation Parkway interchange improvements. The first closure of the main travel lanes will occur early Saturday morning, with a second slated for early Tuesday morning. But don’t worry too much about the impact — the closure is only at the interchange itself, and the detour will simply be to take the Aviation Parkway off-ramp and then immediately return to the freeway via the on-ramp, and it will only apply from midnight to 5 a.m. Speaking of ramps near RDU: there is a new on-/off-lane between the Aviation and Airport interchanges on I-40 westbound. Sometimes called an auxiliary lane or ramp connector lane, this recent lane addition is already improving travel flow on westbound 40 and reducing backups from the Airport Boulevard off-ramp onto the freeway.

NC Courage has no finish line, and neither does the RTA
This past Sunday, our hometown pro women’s soccer team, the North Carolina Courage, completed their quest for dynasty status. The franchise won their second consecutive playoff championship and third in four years, as well as their third consecutive regular season “shield” for the best record. The Courage received our regional inspiration award earlier this year at our 2019 annual meeting. It is safe to say that they are continuing to inspire our community, and our organization, with their “No finish line” mantra.

Your RTA investment enables the regional business community to deliver focus and action on transportation — thank you for your membership! 

Let’s get moving,

Joe

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director